Saturday's matchup different from 2005 game

By STEVE CANNULI
Sports Editor
The teams are the same and their coaching staffs are basically the same and not much has changed in their offensive and defensive approaches, but Golden Lions head coach Chris Norman knows Saturday's Reidsville-Shelby 2-AA state championship game is different from two years ago.
"These are two different football teams from 2005," said Norman. "Our base offense and defense has not changed much, but we are different from two years ago. The one thing that has not changed about Reidsville is that they still have speed."
The two storied programs, who have combined to win 25 state championships, return very few players from that 2005 meeting - won by Shelby 26-18.
Despite all that, Saturday's title game still has the same feel.
"In the 2005 game, the kids really got after each other," said Norman. "It was a game between two class organizations and I have no doubt Saturday will be no different."
Trying to stop a Reidsville offense that has produced 742 points (49.5 per game) and 6,286 yards (419 per game) is something the Golden Lions' head coach knows is tough to do.
"You expect speed at the skill positions," he said. "They have speed everywhere. The first thing I said when I watched them on tape is 'wow.'"
One could say 'wow' when looking at the Shelby defense, a unit that has allowed only 7.8 points per game and has not surrendered more than 15 points in any one contest.
"We have hung our hats on defense," said Norman. "We have won a bunch of games we shouldn't have because of the defense."
Shelby's defense is going to have to do something that only Reidsville has done and that is slow down senior tailback Tayon Graves. Graves, who up until last week, saw little time in the second half of the first three Reidsville postseason games. Despite that, Graves has amassed 2,079 yards and 43 touchdowns - both career highs.
"If you want to put guys on the line of scrimmage, they say we'll throw it to these good receivers," said Norman. "If you want to play soft coverage, they'll hand it to 42 (Graves) 40 times and let him score 15 touchdowns."
The lone Reidsville starters from the 2005 meeting are Kerry Hammock, Marcus Pickard and Graves. For Shelby, only right tackle Casey Burnett and defensive tackle Quevalas Murray are back.
Linebacker Corey Brooks, Sr., 6-0, 171 pounds, leads the Golden Lions defense with 114 tackles and seven blocked kicks. Cornerback Roderick Black leads the team with six interceptions.
Defensive end Lanston Tanyi (Sr., 6-3, 230), a Shrine Bowl selection, and Calvin Gullatte (Sr., 6-4, 173) anchor the defensive end spots.
"Reidsville is not a one-dimensional football team," said Norman, who has compiled a 118-26-1 record to go along with three state championships. "The key to offensive football is making first downs and moving the chains. It doesn't matter how."
With Reidsville quarterback Ray Ray Butchee in the shotgun Saturday, the Golden Lions defense will have to be wary of a signal caller, who has thrown for 1,885 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for 824 yards and 17 TDs.
"Both offenses start there, with the quarterback position," said Norman.
Where it all ends, no one knows, but someone on Saturday will be crowned 2-AA state champion.

Butchee upgraded to probable

Staff Report
Reidsville quarterback Ray Ray Butchee, injured in the Rams' victory over Southern Vance last Friday, has improved and is now listed as probable for Saturday's state championship game against Shelby.
Butchee, a junior and two-year starter, suffered a knee injury late in the first half and didn't return. An MRI Monday revealed a bone bruise.
He will be held out of practice Wednesday and will be fitted with a knee brace. He's expected to return to live practice Thursday with no contact.
"I guess we won't know for sure until we actually see him practice, but I would list him as probable now," Teague said. "He's walking basically with no limp. It's swollen some but hopefully as days pass some of the swelling will go down.
"Ray's tough. A bone bruise might take somebody else out but I really don't think it will keep him out."
Butchee is a threat running or passing out of the Rams' shotgun offense. He has completed 88 of 146 passes (.603) for 1,885 yards and 21 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He has also run 127 times for 824 yards and 17 TDs.
Sophomore Tyrell Houghton is the Rams' No. 2 quarterback.

Shelby stands in way of Reidsville title No. 16

By STEVE CANNULI
Sports Editor
Two of this state's most storied prep football programs are set to square off when the Reidsville Rams (15-0) and the Shelby Golden Lions (14-1) meet for the NCHSAA 2-AA State Championship on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.
Since 1969 - the first year of the Reidsville Ram era - these two schools have combined for 722 wins (Shelby 398, Reidsville 324) and 14 championships (Shelby 10, RHS 4). Reidsville won 11 state championships prior to 1969, giving the city 15 total - the most in state history.
The two teams met in the 2005 2-AA state finals, with Shelby taking home championship gold, 26-18 - in the first-ever meeting between these two successful programs.
After rattling off wins over Freedom (14-10) and Ashbrook (14-7), Shelby dropped its first game to Crest, 14-7. The Shelby Golden Lions, who have won 12 straight since that loss.
Eight of the team's 14 opponents finished the season with at or above .500 records.
Winners of the last two 2-AA state championships, the Golden Lions advanced to Saturday's finals with a 17-0 win over Mount Pleasant. Shelby won last year's title defeating Southern Vance, the team that fell to the Rams 49-19 Friday night in the semifinals.
Since the loss to Crest, Shelby's defense has answered the call - allowing no more than 15 points in any one game. The Golden Lions pitched three shutouts along the way, against Brevard, Chase and Mount Pleasant.
For the season, the Lions have allowed 118 points (7.9 per game) and the offense has posted 443 points (29.5).
Conversely, Reidsville has been nearly as impressive on defense - allowing 165 points (11.0) and scoring a staggering 742 points (49.5).
The Shelby offense is led by a three-headed rushing attack that features three 600-plus yard rushers. Larry Raper (Jr., 5-11, 160) leads the group with 698 yards and 10 touchdowns. Marc Williams (Sr., 6-1, 180) has gained 673 yards and 11 TDs and Donovan Gidney (Sr., 5-11, 206) comes in with 661 yards and 10 TDs. Raper (7.5) and Williams (8.9) are both well over seven-yards per carry. Gidney, the team's fullback, gained 107 yards on 19 carries during Friday's win over S. Vance.
Senior QB Howard Thompson (5-10, 165), who was not the starter during the 2005 meeting, has thrown for 910 yards and 11 touchdowns - on 50 of 95 completions (.526 percentage). Thompson was 4 of 7 through the air with two touchdowns and 82 yards.
O'Bryan Gullatte (Sr., 6-1, 152) hauled in both of Thompson's TD passes and finished with 68 yards receiving.
The Golden Lions are coached by Chris Norman, who has a record of 118-26-1 (82 percent) and three state titles to his credit.
His counterpart, Reidsville head coach Jimmy Teague has a record of 180-41 (.814) and two state championships (2002 and 2003).
Saturday's finals will be the fourth straight for Shelby, who lost in the 2004 championship game - a 49-21 defeat at the hands of Southwest Onslow.
While the Rams have won 28 of their last 30 games, the Golden Lions have won 35 of their last 36 - including an undefeated 16-0 campaign last year.
Reidsville QB Ray Ray Butchee was a freshman during the 2005 game, but RB Tayon Graves, played and gained 61 yards on nine carries and scored once.
Linebacker John Connally, who eclipsed the 500-tackle mark last week, finished the 2005 game against Shelby with 14 tackles.

SHELBY AT A GLANCE
Opponent Scores
Freedom W, 14-10
Ashbrook W, 14-7
Crest L, 7-14
Lincolnton W, 35-13
Brevard W, 7-0
Watauga W, 34-15
Burns W, 30-13
Kings Mountain W, 41-14
R-S Central W, 27-3
Chase W, 42-0
E. Rutherford W, 40-6
2-AA State Playoffs
West Stokes W, 54-2
W. Henderson W, 41-7
Pisgah W, 40-14
Mt. Pleasant W, 17-0

Graves’ record setting night leads Rams to State Finals

Former Reidsville players reminisce

Reidsville to play in 21st state championship game

It will be Reidsville-Shelby Part II next Saturday night at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, following the Rams’ 49-19 win over Southern Vance Friday night at Community Stadium.
Reidsville (15-0) running back Tayon Graves set four school records with his 40 rushing attempts, 285 yards and seven touchdowns as the Rams won the 2-AA East Regional finals.
Shelby (14-1) defeated Mount Pleasant, 17-0 in the 2-AA West Regional finals.
The two teams met back in the 2005 state championship game, with Shelby coming away with a 26-18 victory.
Graves set new RHS marks for points in a game (42), yards rushing (285), rushing attempts (40) and touchdown runs (7).
In the win, Reidsville starting quarterback Ray Ray Butchee was injured during the first half and did not return.
No word on the severity of the injury was known as of Friday night.
Southern Vance (13-2) turned the ball over four times – two fumbles and two interceptions.
Next week’s championship game is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Raleigh.

Tayon Graves’ Night
· Point in a game (42) – Old mark was 30 set by Dominique Watkins (1996) and Victor Salde (1999)
· Yards rushing (285) – Old mark was 245 set by Anthony Wilson (1975)
· Rushing Attempts (40) – Old mark was 30 by Greg Dillard (1983)
· TD runs (7) – Old mark was 5 by Watkins (1996) and Slade (1999)

Ram Game Notes

Reidsville (14-0) and Southern Vance (13-1) will both be hoping for another shot at a state championship when they square off tonight at Community Stadium in the 2-AA East Regional finals.
At stake is a trip to Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh for the 2-AA state championship game against the winner of tonight’s West Regional game with Mount Pleasant (14-0) playing at Shelby (13-1).
Reidsville, which has won 15 state titles in its storied history, last appeared in the state title game in 2005 and lost to Shelby. Southern Vance made its first-ever state title appearance a year ago and also lost to Shelby.
Reidsville and Southern Vance are very similar on offense and defense.
Both operate out of the shotgun attack and have prolific, diversified offenses. On defense, both the Rams and Raiders rely on team speed to shut down opponents.
Reidsville features the field generalship of junior Ray Ray Butchee and the slashing running of senior Tayon Graves. In last week’s 63-6 romp over St. Pauls, Butchee surpassed the 4,000-yard career mark in passing and Graves went over 5,000 yards rushing.
Butchee looks to a variety of receivers led by Kerry Hammock, Mike Brown, Jarrett Barnett, Marlon Roach and Niko McGirt.
The offensive line of Phillip McLaughlin, Rashard Williamson, Jazz Totten, Devin Sessoms and Lance Spivey will hold the key to slowing a fierce Southern Vance pass rush. Raider defensive end Shelton Gill made several huge plays against Northwood last week, adding to his already impressive season resume.
Another match-up to watch will be Reidsville’s passing attack against the Raiders’ quick secondary. Butchee has thrown just four interceptions all season while Southern Vance picked off Northwood three times last week.
Reidsville’s defense will face its biggest challenge of the season as Southern Vance brings in a 33.5 average to the game. Since a 28-13 loss to 3-A Southwest Edgecombe in mid-September, the Raiders have scored no less than 26 points during its current nine-game winning streak.
Senior Jamere Pugh, who quarterbacked Southern Vance as a freshman when the Raiders came to Community Stadium for a third-round game in 2004, is a threat running or passing. He has six receivers with at least 16 catches, a cast headed by senior standout D.J. Person.
The Raiders also feature a strong running attack with Jeremy Davis and O’Darren Gill both over 1,000 yards for the season.
The RHS defensive front four has a seven or eight-player rotation and is led by junior tackle Damien Lee, who has 10 sacks. Overall, the Rams have 34 sacks with Greg Black, Mike Brown, Jazz Totten, Travis Dean and Anthony Wooten also strong pass rushers.
Ram middle linebacker John Connally, who needs one tackle for 500 in his career, has three sacks, 12 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
E.J. Foster and Tayon Graves are the outside linebackers and Jordan Gunter (four interceptions), John Cooper (three interceptions), Kerry Hammock and Marcus Pickard make up the RHS secondary.
The key for the RHS defense will be containing Pugh’s scrambling and his ability to throw on the run.
The Rams come into the game healthy. Kickoff man A.J. Williams, who was questionable earlier in the week, has made progress with his thigh bruise and will be able to handle the kickoffs. His deep kicks in the first three rounds of the playoffs have helped provide Reidsville with a field position advantage.
THE COACHES: Since coming to Reidsville in 1992, coach Jimmy Teague has compiled a 180-40 record, including a 35-12 mark in the playoffs. His teams have made the playoffs every year except 1999. Southern Vance is under the direction of first-year coach Mark Perry.
TEAGUE SAYS: “Southern Vance has several quality wins. They beat Oxford Webb (which is playing Greensboro Dudley in the 3-AA East Regional tonight), Durham Hillside and they beat Northwood pretty handily last week. All of those are quality wins and indicate what kind of team they really have. And they made it all the way to the state finals a year ago, so they’ve got some experience playing in this type of game.
TEAGUE SAYS, PART II: “I think because of playing people like Cummings, we’ve got an idea of what we need to do to try to slow them down. It’s a preparation we’ve had in the past and not really new for us. We feel pretty good about what we’re going to do. When you play a team like Southern Vance, you’re not going to completely stop them but we’ve got to make them nickel and dime their way and limit the big plays.”
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE: The 2-AA title game is set for 7:30 at Carter-Finley on Saturday, Dec. 8, as the third game of a tripleheader. The 1-A game will kick off at 11 a.m. and the 2-A championship game at 3:30 p.m.
REIDSVILLE PLAYOFF HISTORY: The Rams are in the final four for the sixth straight year since the NCHSAA subdivided the four classifications in 2002. They have two state titles, one runner-up finish and two fourth-place finishes in that span.
In Reidsville playoff history, including the Golden Lion era, there have been 20 appearances in state championship games and 15 state titles.
SOUTHERN VANCE HISTORY: Southern Vance High School opened in 1990 when Henderson Vance High School was split into Southern and Northern. The Raiders have made six appearances in the NCHSAA playoffs and have an 11-6 record, highlighted by an advance to the state finals in 2006 where they lost to Shelby 27-24.
THE 2004 MEETING: Reidsville and Southern Vance met in the third round of the 2-AA playoffs and the Rams shut down the Raiders’ vaunted running game in a 50-7 victory. Southern’s Reggie Hicks, now on the team at James Madison University, entered the game with almost 2,000 yards but was held to a season-low 71 yards on 19 carries by a Reidsville defense led by Gary Pickard, Dwayne Jones, Ernest Blackwell and then freshman John Connally, who had seven tackles. Southern Vance ended its season at 12-2 while Reidsville lost in the regional final to Western Alamance the following week and finished 12-3. Jerere Pugh, then a freshman, accounted for Southern’s lone TD with a 46-yard pass.
DID YOU KNOW?: Reidsville assistant coach Al Hendricks played at Henderson Vance and was a member of the 1981 regional finalist team coached by Reidsville native Kelly Minyard.
TOP-SCORING TEAMS: Reidsville, averaging 49.5, is the top scoring team in the state in all classifications, according to statistics compiled by NCPreps.com. There are eight other schools averaging better than 40 points per game: West Montgomery (45.3), Plymouth (44.0), Mt. Airy (43.1), Pittsboro Northwood (42.4), Hickory (42.1), South Columbus (41.5), North Gaston (40.9) and Charlotte Independence (40.6).
MARGIN OF VICTORY: Reidsville leads the state in average margin of victory at 39.1. South Columbus is second with 37.0. Last week’s 57-point decision over St. Pauls was the largest playoff margin in school history. Previously, the 68-12 romp over Bandys in the 2003 championship game was at the top of that list.
STREAKS: Reidsville ranks second in the state in consecutive games not being shut out with 144. Greenville Rose tops that list with 146. Reidsville is second in games scoring in double figures with 92. Charlotte Independence leads that list with 131. The last time Reidsville was shutout was the 14-0 loss to West Brunswick in the opening round of the 1997 playoffs and the last time they were held below double digits was the 31-7 first-round playoff loss to Lincolnton in 2001.
BEST START EVER: At 14-0, the Rams are off to their best start. They can tie the school record for wins tonight. Both the 2002 and 2003 team finished 15-1. The only undefeated team in Ram history was the 1970 squad that finished 12-0-1.
RANKINGS: N.C. Preps (Baker’s Dozen) has Reidsville ranked No. 1 and Southern Vance No. 6. The Fantastic 50 2-A computer profile lists Reidsville No. 3 behind South Columbus and Shelby with Southern Vance at No. 5. Massey Ratings has Reidsville 2nd behind South Columbus and Southern Vance sixth.
PREDICTIONS: Fantastic 50 has Reidsville listed as an 8-point favorite; Massey Ratings has Reidsville favored by 14.

Information on Friday night's RHS playoff game

Rams pre-game tailgate party set for Friday
Reidsville High School’s Community Stadium will again play host to a Reidsville Rams pre-game tailgate part from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday night – prior to the team’s state semifinal playoff game.
Tickets to the tailgate will be $5 in advance and $6 on Friday.
Those in attendance will get chili or a half-dozen chicken wings, chips, drink and a dessert.
Proceeds will go toward the Reidsville swimming teams, girls’ softball, wrestling, cheerleading and SGA (Student Government Association).
For more information, call Don or Arleen Settles (342-2690), Caroline or Ken McKinney (432-4839), Dr. John Ferguson (342-6063, weekdays), Mike Armstrong (349-6361), Marie Connally (349-6361), Wanda Totten (951-4510).

Tickets for Friday’s game on sale at RHS
Tickets for Friday’s game are also being sold this week at the high school’s main office.
Tickets are $6 in advance at $7 at the game. They will remain on sale through noon on Friday.
For more information on tickets, call the school at 349-6361.

One-loss Southern Vance stands between Rams and state title shot

By STEVE CANNULI
Sports Editor
Three down and one to go for the Reidsville Rams, who are one win away from their 21st appearance in a state championship game. In the Rams' rearview mirror are three teams - St. Pauls, Cedar Ridge and Orange, who have learned the hard way that speed kills.
In addition to Reidsville's 165-30 advantage in the playoffs, the Rams have not allowed a single point (126-0) during the first halves of those three games.
Welcome into Community Stadium, Southern Vance (13-1) - winners over Northwood, 33-15 Friday night in a 2-AA Eastern quarterfinals contest.
The Raiders, the No. 2 seed in the east, were impressive on both sides of the ball, limiting Northwood running back and North Carolina State-bound Tobias Palmer to 25 yards on 14 carries.
Northwood's 15 points were a season-low. The Chargers had not been held to under 30 points all season.
Southern Vance's defense limited Northwood to 171 yards of total offense.
Raider head coach Mark Perry spoke highly of his team's next opponent - the Rams.
"We'll be on the road next week in Reidsville," said Perry to the Henderson Dispatch. "...Somebody will go home and somebody will go on to the state championship game. That's a powerhouse up there. They're a tremendous football team."
The lone Raiders loss came in week five, a 28-13 loss to Southwest Edgecombe. On the season, Southern Vance has outscored its opponents, 469-216 (33.5-15.4). In their playoff run, the Raiders have been equally impressive. In addition to the win over Northwood, the Raiders beat Richland (47-14) and West Stanly (44-14).
Friday's win over the Chargers was led offensively by Southern Vance's rushing attack that produced 200 yards on 42 attempts (4.7 per attempt). Jeremy Davis gained 71 yards on 16 carries and scored once, but O'Darren Gill accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) and 117 yards of total offense.
Gill (5-10, 165, Sr.) scored on runs of 58 and 10 yards and also hauled in a 24-yards touchdown pass from quarterback Jamere Pugh.
Pugh (5-10, 160, Sr.) was 8 of 16 passing for 140 yards and two TDs. His other touchdown pass - a 17-yarder to Rashod Campbell (6-0, 175, Sr.) - closed out the third quarter scoring.
The Raiders outscored the Chargers, 14-0 in the third quarter.
Southern Vance also intercepted Northwood QB Joaquin Green two times. Patrick Crews (5-11, 160, Jr.) hauled in two interceptions and Daric Hawkins (6-1, 160, Sr.) added the other. Palmer attempted one pass, but it was intercepted.
According to the Henderson Dispatch, it was the relentless pressure of junior defensive end Shelton Gill (6-1, 190, Jr.) that created the most problems for the Chargers' passing attack. Gill also blocked a 34-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds of the first half.
The FG would have cut Southern's lead to 12-10. Instead, the Raiders took a 12-7 lead into the intermission.
Green was just 9 of 19 passing for 99 yards.
The Raiders, champions of the Northern Carolina 2-A Conference, enter Friday's semifinal game riding a nine-game winning streak.
Reidsville, which has outscored its opponents 693-146, is averaging 49.5 points per game.
Rams running back Tayon Graves eclipsed the 5,000-yard rushing mark Friday night - finishing with 168 yards. Graves currently has 5,092 for his career to go along with 85 touchdowns.
Friday's winner will meet the winner of No. 2 Mount Pleasant (14-0) and No. 1 Shelby (13-1) in next Saturday's 2-AA NCHSAA State Championship game at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mount Pleasant edged North Lincoln 18-13 on Friday and Shelby defeated Pisgah, 40-14.
It was Shelby who defeated the Rams in the 2005 NCHSAA State Championship.
Reidsville and Southern Vance have met once before, a 50-7 Reidsville victory in the 2004 state playoffs. Pugh, this year's Viking QB, was a freshman starter in that game.

Southern Vance at a Glance
Opponent Score
Dur. Hillside W, 26-16
S. Granville W, 35-32, OT
Webb W, 37-27
N. Vance W, 21-9
SW Edgecomb L, 28-13
N. Nash W, 34-9
Bunn W, 26-14
Roanoke Rapids W, 43-15
NW Halifax W, 35-0
Warren Co. W, 34-9
Franklinton W, 41-14
2-AA State Playoffs
W. Stanly W, 44-14
Richlands W, 47-14
Northwood W, 33-15

Those Rams Fans